Hello,
The holidays have snuck up on us again! In December we have lots of Holiday events - Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas, Christmas, Dia de Los Tres Reyes and somewhere in there is the tamale production line and making other Holiday sweets to share with all your family and friends.
!Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!
Darlene |
| Virgen de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego
|
 Did you get up at 5am to sing Las Mañanitas to the Virgin of Guadalupe this morning? Millions of Latinos across America processed alongside Mariachis to their local churches to celebrate the feast day of the Patron Saint of the Americas. So who is this woman who Latinos embrace so dearly? In 1531 between December 9-12 The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego near what is now Mexico City. She asked Juan Diego to tell the Bishop that she wanted a church built on the very spot that she appeared. This was no easy task for Juan Diego a poor Indian man with no connections. Eventually he ended up meeting with the Bishop but he wasn't buying into the whole story and asked for proof. On his last visit with the Virgin she provided the proof by making a rose bush appear on a barren hill in the middle of December. He gathered up the miraculous blossoms in his tilma or cloak and rushed back to see the Bishop. Once again before the
Bishop and others he let the roses spill out
before him, but more miraculous than the roses was the perfect image of the
Virgin of Guadalupe emblazoned on his cloak.
Now 476 years later Juan Diego's perfectly preserved tilma can be seen at the Cathedral Basilica in Mexico City. It has been subjected to extensive analysis and scrutiny over the years but the experts have been puzzled and unable to determine how image was rendered and why it has shown no signs of deterioration. That's what you call a miracle!
The Full Story
More About Our Lady of Guadalupe
|
| Las Posadas
|
Posadas or in Spanish it is also called Los
Peregrinos, San José y la Virgen María are a
reenactment of Joseph and Mary's
journey to Bethlehem to be counted in the Census
just prior to the birth of Jesus. These
celebrations
are a "Novena" or nine
days of prayer starting on the 16th of December and
finishing on the 24th which is the Noche Buena or
Holy Night.
Each night at dusk during this period all the guests
gather outside
the house. A small child dressed as an angel leads,
followed by children carrying figures of Mary and
Joseph, followed by the
adults and musicians. Everyone sings songs
as they process through the neighborhood carrying
their lit
candles. The hosts of
the home are the innkeepers, and the neighborhood
children and adults are Los Peregrinos or
Pilgrims,
who have to
request lodging through singing a simple chant. The
group will ask for lodging at three
different houses but only the third one will allow
them in. That will be the house that will host the
party for that evening. Once the
innkeepers let them in, the group of guests comes
into the home and kneels around the Nativity scene
to pray the Rosary and then the fun begins. Then the
food and piñata comes out. Pan Dulce, Bunuelos,
Tamales, Mexican Chocolate, Ponche with a little rum
added for the adults. It's a great family tradition
that has carried on through the years.
|
| See our Picante Pickz of the Week
|
Incredibly, Christmas is only 12 days away!
Orders must be recieved by Friday, December 14, 2007 to guarantee delivery by Christmas.
Call 1-877-82CASAQ or 408-280-1065
today to order or for more information.
|
| Tamales across America
|
 TAMALES
Gather
up the family to make this Holiday staple or pick up a few dozen at your local Panaderia or Tamaleria. Don't know where to go? Lucky for you we compiled a list of tamale locations across the country
where you can purchase these wrapped delights in every sweet and savory
combination you can think of.
TAMALES ACROSS AMERICA>> |
|
¡Feliz Navidad
y
Prospero Año Nuevo!
CasaQ
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Sweets
|
 When I was a kid we used to go on Posadas every year in our neighborhood. I loved making it to the last house where we were invited in for Tamales, Pan Dulce, Bunuelos, Mexican Hot Chocolate or Champurrada. If you don't have the time or desire to make it, buy it! Hey, its not the same but its still good and actually for some people (not mentioning any names) it might be better!
PAN DULCE
Mexican Sweet Rolls
I must admit I've attempted to make pan dulce from scratch and it just didn't work out for me. It tasted good but didn't look the same. I say go to the pros. If
your in the Southwest you got it made but if not Google - "panaderia"
and your town and wish for the best. And remember all panaderias are
not equal! But if you're up for the challenge here's a recipe.
Recipe>>
BUNUELOS
Fried Sweet Puffs
Love these sweet crispy treats! I have never really bought any that I've like so I'm going to share my recipe below.
CHURROS
Fluted Sweet Pastry
I just made some last night and I like Tres Estrellas churro mix you just add water, mix and cook in oil and there done in 20 minutes. There are also some pre-cooked versions in the frozen food section. Not recommended but its there.
MEXICAN CHOCOLATE
Cinnamon Chocolate Drink
Buy Abuelita, Moctezuma, or Ibarra Chocolate in the Hispanic section of your grocery store or online at www.mexgrocer.com.
Recipe>>
ATOLE OR CHAMPURRADO
Cornmeal-based hot drink
You really do need to go to a real Mexican grocery store for this or again see recipe or go to www.mexgrocer.com
Recipe>>
All recipes available at CasaQ.com
|
|
Bunuelos
|
There is a simple way to make bunuelos. Buy flour tortillas, fry them and sprinkle with sugar. I must say I am strongly opposed to this method but do as you wish. Here is, I think, the superior and proper way...
INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Salt
Topping:
1 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
Heat canola or vegetable oil in a shallow skillet until hot.(350 degrees)
Beat together eggs and sugar until thick and lemon colored. Add flour baking powder and salt to egg mixture. Knead dough on flour coat cutting board until smooth. Divide dough into 16 equal balls with floured hands. Let sit for 20 minutes. Roll out on floured board into round 5 - 7" tortilla shapes.
Drop flat into hot oil, brown lightly about 30
seconds on each side. Remove from skillet and sprinkle to taste with
topping mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
|
|
|
|
